Jesus replied, “If you only knew the gift God has

for you and who you are speaking to, you would

ask me, and I would give you living water.”

JOHN 4:10 NLT

Note to the Leader

The re:Connect curriculum is a series of three (3) studies to help women connect through relationships, spiritual formation, and service. The studies can be adapted for a large crowd, a small gathering, or for personal study. Most of the studies are designed to be an hour-long session. The spiritual retreat study is designed to be a weekend or day-long retreat. Feel free to adapt any of the lessons to your unique situation. You may print copies of the lessons as needed. The guiding theme for this installment of re:Connect is LIVING WATER. Jesus re-plied, “If you only knew the gift God has for you and who you are speaking to, you would ask me, and I would give you living water.” (John 4:10 NLT). We should allow Christ to be the quenching water that never dries up in our lives, relationships and min-istry. Let’s depend on Christ to be that continual source of water that brings life to our souls. Remember, we are to make meaningful connections remembering our vision, “A place for every woman where every woman takes her place” as we move toward our mission, “Encourage women to form a relationship with God and each other; equipping through discipleship; empowering to serve and share the gospel. Similar to our previous Church of God women’s ministry resources, these three studies explore Jesus as our source of Living Water, a celebration of your spiritual birthday, and our 2018 Christ’s Birthday Observance. Each study is divided into three sections: Prepare, Immerse, and Engage. In Prepare you will find a beginning or place to start. Materials needed and ideas for the presentation of the lesson will be outlined. In Immerse, you will find the essence and substance of the study in which you and your group can explore ideas and information. Finally, in En-gage, you are encouraged to interact with the study through questions and activities. Your feedback will give us an idea of what you found successful and what you would like to see improved as we are developing other resources. Please take time after you have finished this installment of re:Connect to fill out the evaluation included in the back of this booklet and mail it to us. You may contact CWC at (toll free) 866-778-0804 or go online at www.christianwomenconnection.org to order other ministry resources as they become available.

Welcome to r e :Connect

re:Connect is a study series produced by Christian Women Connection

INTRO STUDY…………………………………….…….……...………4

SPIRITUAL RETREAT BIRTHDAY………………......……..…..23

CHRIST’S BIRTHDAY OBSERVANCE….…….……...........…..32

WRITERS…………………………………………………...…..……...40

NOTES……………………………………………….……………… ....41

EVALUATION………..……………….….…….…….………....….….42

Table of Content s

RE:CONNECT WITH LIVING WATER

4

HANDOUTS

Word Search/Solution

Scripture (Full Passage NLT)

When You’re Thirsty For…

PREPARE

Start with prayer and thought for each person who will participate in this

2018 Theme Introduction Study. The goal of this study is to understand the

theme scripture of John 4:10 (nlt). The foundational view of the scripture in

this study is to know the gifts God has for us and who Jesus is in our lives.

We can count the many gifts He provides, but one of the gifts Jesus will

provide is Living Water. How can the life-giving water of Jesus not only flow

through our lives but also through our women’s ministries? Providing

snacks, treats, and food is optional but effective when attention to teaching

and discussion is needed. Plus it’s great during fellowship!

By: Melanie Thigpen

Living Water

RE:CONNECT WITH LIVING WATER

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IDEAS

No time for creativity? Check out Christian Women Connection on Pinterest

under the board called Living Water for craft ideas and more.

MATERIALS NEEDED

Word search print-outs, writing utensils

Optional: Provide candy/small gift to those who found all the words

ENGAGE

WELCOME & ICEBREAKER

If you have new people, have them introduce themselves or pass out name

tags for everyone. Pass out copies of the word search, “What I Need to

Survive.” The goal of the word search is to get participants to think about

what they believe they need or want in life to survive.

Ask them to find as many words as they can.

Ask them to share a word that sticks out to them more than others.

Is there something not listed that they suggest is a need?

Ask them to share an item that a parent or grandparent might suggest

should be listed.

Thought: What items could they go without?

ENGAGE

LIVING WATER

Jesus replied, “If you only knew the gift God has for you and who you are

speaking to, you would ask me, and I would give you living water.” (John

4:10, nlt)

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If You Only Knew

What do you imagine causes the Samaritan woman to continue going to

the well every day? It’s the same reason we have running water in our

homes. There’s a need. We need water to survive, and water is vital in al-

most every area of our lives. Bathing, washing clothes and dishes, clean-

ing, preparing food, drinking, brushing teeth, watering the yard and garden,

recreation, and even washing the dog are only some of the ways we use

water. The woman at the well had a need for water that day, and unknow-

ingly headed toward an encounter that would literally change her life. Was

it chance or destiny? She didn’t know who she was having an extensive

conversation with at the well. She didn’t know that the God she worshiped

had a gift for her. She didn’t know the Messiah that she was waiting for had

arrived. She didn’t know that right in front of her was a powerful, life-altering

experience that she’d been waiting for.

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IMMERSE

Why Don’t We Know?

Have you ever heard the phrase, “If I knew then what I know now”?

Jesus replied, “If you only knew the gift God has for you and who you

are speaking to, you would ask me, and I would give you living wa-

ter.” (John 4:10, emphasis added)

Life has a way of bringing circumstances into our lives that can potentially

act as distractions from God’s promises. These circumstances can dull

our spirits, not only to the gifts and blessings of God but also to His pres-

ence.

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Try to name at least three or more things that would change if you knew

then what you know now?

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

______________________________________________________

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ENGAGE

Pride can be a silent, persistent distraction.

The woman was surprised, for Jews refuse to have anything to do with Sa-

maritans. She said to Jesus, “You are a Jew, and I am a Samaritan woman.

Why are you asking me for a drink?” (John 4:9)

Pride comes in all forms and nuances. For example, self-centeredness is

a form of pride and can cause conflict within and with others in our daily

lives. Pride damages our senses and could thrust us into a life of isolation

while keeping us blind to what is actually going on around us. Pride can be

caused by many things, but in particular it can be caused by an injury, a

hurtful situation, or a painful experience. A wound that failed to heal can

create proud flesh. If it’s deep enough, it could leave a scar.

RE:CONNECT WITH LIVING WATER

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Physically, proud flesh is known as tissue that forms after an injury. The

scab’s normal granulation tissue doesn’t disappear. Proud flesh is a conse-

quence of inadequate healing. The tissue continues to grow beyond the

wound. Sometimes abrasive measures, such as cutting and scraping,

could be used to remove the proud skin, which sounds even more painful.

IMMERSE

Share a time when you experienced a cut or an injury. Did you allow it to

completely heal or did you prolong the healing process? What steps did

you have to take to allow it to heal completely?

______________________________________________________

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ENGAGE

Shame is not repentance.

[Jesus] had to go through Samaria on the way. Eventually he came to the

Samaritan village of Sychar, near the field that Jacob gave to his son Jo-

seph. Jacob’s well was there; and Jesus, tired from the long walk, sat wea-

rily beside the well about noontime. Soon a Samaritan woman came to

draw water, and Jesus said to her, “Please give me a drink” (John 4:4–7,

emphasis added).

The stories in the Bible, such as in Genesis 24, help us learn more about

Hebrew women in ancient Israel and how they would journey to the well to

draw water in the evening.

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Women and Wells in the Hebrew Bible

Almost every aspect of daily life in ancient Israel involved water: agriculture, animal husbandry,

cooking, personal hygiene, and of course drinking. People would have collected water from natural sources such as free-running streams, fountains, or springs, or from artificial sources such as wells, water systems, reservoirs, and cisterns. Though the Bible lacks specific descriptions of wells, they seem often to have been placed in centralized locations, especially in rural areas. They had some sort of cover (Gen 29:1-3) and may have had stone troughs nearby to provide water for animals

(Gen 24:20, Gen 30:38). Well water was likely consumed by both humans and livestock, while water collected from cisterns was used for agricultural activities.

Young women typically had the daily chore of drawing water from wells to supply the family house-hold. Genesis 24:11 tells us that women went out to draw water in the evening using vessels made of either clay or animal skins attached to a rope. The woman would lower the vessel into the well to

collect the water and then carry the filled vessel on either her head, her hip, or, more likely, her shoulder, as described in several passages: “Before he had finished speaking, there was Rebekah, who was born to Bethuel son of Milcah, the wife of Nahor, Abraham's brother, coming out with her water jar on her shoulder” (Gen 24:15). After going to the spring and filling her jar, Rebekah lowers

“her jar upon her hand” (Gen 24:18) to offer water to Abraham’s servant. Although the primary function of wells in ancient Israel was to supply water for the household, the

centralized, open location of wells allowed them to serve as social gathering places. Travelers stopped

to water their camels there (Gen 24:11), and wells could be landmarks (Num 21:16, Deut 10:6). Wells were also places of betrothal scenes. As the young women likely went out together to collect wa-ter, young men of the vil- lage realized that this

event gave them a perfect opportunity to socialize with the women away from the watchful eyes of

the girls’ fathers and male relatives. The Hebrew Bi-ble recounts several wom- en meeting their future spouses at wells. The nar- ratives follow a simi-lar literary pattern: A man travels to a foreign land, where he meets a young woman who draws water for him. After meeting with the girl’s family a marriage is arranged. Abraham’s servant stopped at a well and met Rebekah there (Gen 24:10-27). Jacob met Rachel at a well where she came to water her father Laban’s flock of sheep (Gen 29:1-11). Moses, too, met his future wife, Zipporah, at a well

when she came with her sisters to water their father's flock (Exod 2:15-22). In addition to these three betrothal scenes, Saul met young women who were on their way to draw water while he was search-

ing for his father's donkeys (1Sam 9:3-12).

Divine revelation occurred at wells, too. As water is life giving and symbolizes creation and new be-ginnings, it is noteworthy that God would choose water sources for places for revelation. In the Song of Songs, the woman is praised as a “garden fountain, a well of living water” (Song 4:15). After Ha-

gar fled from Sarai, an angel of the Lord appeared to her at a well, Beer-lahai-roi, where he revealed to her the name of her son Ishmael and promised her a multitude of offspring (Gen 16:6-14). Later,

when Hagar and Ishmael had been cast out into the wilderness of Beersheba and their water supply was gone, “God opened her eyes and she saw a well of water. She went, and filled the skin with wa-

ter, and gave the boy a drink” (Gen 21:19).

Julye Bidmead, "Women and Wells in the Hebrew Bible", n.p. [cited 1 Feb 2018]. Online: https://

www.bibleodyssey.org:443/places/related-articles/women-and-wells-in-the-hebrew-bible

RE:CONNECT WITH LIVING WATER

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There are numerous opinions about why the Samaritan women would

choose to draw water at noon, the hottest time of the day, instead of in the

evening. Could it be she didn’t want to interact with other women and trav-

elers at the well in the evening? Was it because she was ashamed of her

living situation? We can only speculate.

IMMERSE

What do you think causes us to avoid uncomfortable situations with other

people?

Christian Women Connection groups are known for their love, support, and

encouragement. How can you and your group continue in love and allow

the Living Water of Jesus to flow through your women’s ministry/group?

Discuss the following words as a group and how they can cause isolation,

avoidance, and shame.

Gossip

Social Class

Cultural Differences

Hateful/Unloving people

Insecurity

Shame (Public Knowledge of Sinful Situations)

Anger

Bullying

ENGAGE

First things first…

Jesus brings out the truth in us and reveals our truth to set us free!

Before the Samaritan woman received the Living Water Jesus describes,

He addresses those things in her life holding her back from true freedom

and abundant life.

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There is definitely a difference between seasoned, well-advice spoken in

love at the right time and an ill-advised word spoken out of opinion and ig-

norance. Telling someone the truth in love can be one of the best gifts you

can give. Receiving this gift is even better. One of the LIFE GIVING GIFTS

that Jesus gives us is freedom. Freedom from ignorance, pride, shame,

sin, and so much more!

Jesus replied, “If you only knew the gift God has for you and who you are

speaking to, you would ask me, and I would give you living wa-

ter.” (John 4:10, nlt, emphasis added)

“Please, sir,” the woman said, “give me this water! Then I’ll never be thirsty

again, and I won’t have to come here to get water.”

“Go and get your husband,” Jesus told her.

“I don’t have a husband,” the woman replied.

Jesus said, “You’re right! You don’t have a husband— for you have had

five husbands, and you aren’t even married to the man you’re living with

now. You certainly spoke the truth!” (John 4:15–18, emphasis added)

RE:CONNECT WITH LIVING WATER

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What does Living Water mean?

The word living that Jesus used to describe the water He gives means to

be alive among the living and not dead. This water is fresh, strong, and effi-

cient. It is not rank from impurities and stagnancy. Living means to breathe,

enjoy real true life, be blessed, and live in the endless kingdom of God.

When we hear the words Living Water, we think of this special water having

special, vital power within itself. This water is powerful and efficacious, ex-

tending the same power to our very souls.

Jesus brings us an excitement about this free gift He has for us. It costs us

nothing as we accept with open hearts, minds, and souls. Are we thirsty

enough to ask our Lord to give us the Living Water that won’t run out and

will continue to replenish our souls daily?

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The Living Water that Jesus gives us is a spiritual experience that brings

life to every dead place in our souls. He opens up the fountain from which

anyone can come and drink.

Now that we know the gift God has for us, let’s receive Jesus completely

and all that He brings to us. He gives us not only His life but also abundant

life for us. Let go of the distractions, the pride, the shame, and the hurt.

Can you hear Him? He’s right here. Some may hear a loud shout while oth-

ers just a whisper, a still, small voice and tugging in your heart. Lord, we

are listening, give us your Living Water…

On the last day, the climax of the festival, Jesus stood and shouted to the

crowds, "Anyone who is thirsty may come to me! Anyone who believes in

me may come and drink! For the Scriptures declare, 'Rivers of living water

will flow from his heart.'" (John 7:37–38, nlt)

RE:CONNECT WITH LIVING WATER

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PRAYER Dear Jesus,

I am thirsty for you and all you have for me. Open my heart, mind and soul to be filled with all of You and Your Living Water. I want rivers of Living Wa-ter to flow through me, my heart, my family, my ministry until it overflows in-to the community and world.

May your life-giving water with all of it’s grace, mercy and love flow through our lives to give you glory for other’s to not only see, but know the gift you have for them. In Jesus name, Amen.

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ENGAGE

PRAYER MEDITATION DISCUSSION (WITH EXAMPLES)

WHEN YOU’RE THIRSTY FOR… JESUS PROVIDES LIFE THROUGH…

SALVATION HIS LIFE, DEATH, AND RESURRECTION

FELLOWSHIP CHURCH FAMILY AND WOMEN’S GROUPS

STRENGTH

LOVE

PEACE

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A C S C B N N E H E T G M I J N Q N X M A K I L X V O F E P I K W V T L L R Q U N D P H B V Z X B K

M N C X H V B T A A E E J G R T K F Y W O A E B W

B D N H Y T E L I O W N C O F F E E A N Y R N W H

V I M U I N O Q E J H O J T D M N G X M J I O I M

A T D D R L W L K W U U R I R O E U E J I A H U W

C I K E Q P D F C S L L L C M I A I F G G L P R F

A O T L Q X P R H I Z E B B I P C D G S D G Y U O

T N P D I Q Q E E N Z Q Z N S M Z I Z F M N B X U

I E E Z Z R L S C N E E E Z W E Q P T E Z F W R Y

O R N E T T W D W A O G S N V Q P I A Y L D X X G

N V I A E N U N A Y Y H N I F I W C O M P U T E R

B T C R H T H E L X Q X A T L B Y W H V Q B J X P

M F I L E E Q I O G X I C X Q T H E Y E D B V Y Y

S A D N A S A R D T U C K R E T A W L T X Z K S T

R B E T P U N F E N F L S M B H D T K B N D F X B

H W M O A B P L H V K B K H V V M C J U A P G U T

G Z U W V M E H H Z C P E E F J S C S W H C M N W

U S R X V V V D I N V X R N C W Y V E T W E T H Y

E I N T I L L P L W E Z Z M O E T A L O C O H C F

F K M S P V O E H W F Z X D L P G R F H J Z K M U

D S I F P Y D V F E E T H D N K R E L C I H E V J

B O A J K P K G O Y M P S S T X J G D H Z K V U Z

N H V G H E W D O R N H H Y R H J U B Q Y I W G K

F T F S H O E S D P S J F O M M B S B W V C C E S

AIR

BIBLE

CABLE

CHILDREN

CHOCOLATE

CLOTHES

COFFEE

COMPUTER

CONDITIONER

ELECTRICITY

FAMILY

FOOD

FRIENDS

GAS

HEAT

INTERNET

MEDICINE

MICROWAVE

MONEY

OXYGEN

PHONE

SHELTER

SHOES

SNACKS

SPOUSE

SUN

TELEVISION

VACATION

VEHICLE

WATER

WIFI

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A C S C B N N E H E T G M I J N Q N X M A K I L X V O F E P I K W V T L L R Q U N D P H B V Z X B K

M N C X H V B T A A E E J G R T K F Y W O A E B W

B D N H Y T E L I O W N C O F F E E A N Y R N W H

V I M U I N O Q E J H O J T D M N G X M J I O I M

A T D D R L W L K W U U R I R O E U E J I A H U W

C I K E Q P D F C S L L L C M I A I F G G L P R F

A O T L Q X P R H I Z E B B I P C D G S D G Y U O

T N P D I Q Q E E N Z Q Z N S M Z I Z F M N B X U

I E E Z Z R L S C N E E E Z W E Q P T E Z F W R Y

O R N E T T W D W A O G S N V Q P I A Y L D X X G

N V I A E N U N A Y Y H N I F I W C O M P U T E R

B T C R H T H E L X Q X A T L B Y W H V Q B J X P

M F I L E E Q I O G X I C X Q T H E Y E D B V Y Y

S A D N A S A R D T U C K R E T A W L T X Z K S T

R B E T P U N F E N F L S M B H D T K B N D F X B

H W M O A B P L H V K B K H V V M C J U A P G U T

G Z U W V M E H H Z C P E E F J S C S W H C M N W

U S R X V V V D I N V X R N C W Y V E T W E T H Y

E I N T I L L P L W E Z Z M O E T A L O C O H C F

F K M S P V O E H W F Z X D L P G R F H J Z K M U

D S I F P Y D V F E E T H D N K R E L C I H E V J

B O A J K P K G O Y M P S S T X J G D H Z K V U Z

N H V G H E W D O R N H H Y R H J U B Q Y I W G K

F T F S H O E S D P S J F O M M B S B W V C C E S

AIR

BIBLE

CABLE

CHILDREN

CHOCOLATE

CLOTHES

COFFEE

COMPUTER

CONDITIONER

ELECTRICITY

FAMILY

FOOD

FRIENDS

GAS

HEAT

INTERNET

MEDICINE

MICROWAVE

MONEY

OXYGEN

PHONE

SHELTER

SHOES

SNACKS

SPOUSE

SUN

TELEVISION

VACATION

VEHICLE

WATER

WIFI

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SCRIPTURE

John 4 (nlt, emphasis added)

Jesus and the Samaritan Woman

4 Jesus knew the Pharisees had heard that he was baptizing and making more disciples than John 2 (though Je-

sus himself didn’t baptize them—his disciples did). 3 So he left Judea and returned to Galilee.

4 He had to go through Samaria on the way. 5 Eventually he came to the Samaritan village of Sychar, near the

field that Jacob gave to his son Joseph. 6 Jacob’s well was there; and Jesus, tired from the long walk, sat weari-

ly beside the well about noontime. 7 Soon a Samaritan woman came to draw water, and Jesus said to

her, “Please give me a drink.” 8 He was alone at the time because his disciples had gone into the village to buy

some food.

9 The woman was surprised, for Jews refuse to have anything to do with Samaritans. She said to Jesus, “You

are a Jew, and I am a Samaritan woman. Why are you asking me for a drink?”

10 Jesus replied, “If you only knew the gift God has for you and who you are speaking to, you would ask

me, and I would give you living water.”

11 “But sir, you don’t have a rope or a bucket,” she said, “and this well is very deep. Where would you get this

living water? 12 And besides, do you think you’re greater than our ancestor Jacob, who gave us this well? How

can you offer better water than he and his sons and his animals enjoyed?”

13 Jesus replied, “Anyone who drinks this water will soon become thirsty again. 14 But those who drink the wa-

ter I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life.”

15 “Please, sir,” the woman said, “give me this water! Then I’ll never be thirsty again, and I won’t have to come

here to get water.”

16 “Go and get your husband,” Jesus told her.

17 “I don’t have a husband,” the woman replied.

Jesus said, “You’re right! You don’t have a husband— 18 for you have had five husbands, and you aren’t even

married to the man you’re living with now. You certainly spoke the truth!”

19 “Sir,” the woman said, “you must be a prophet. 20 So tell me, why is it that you Jews insist that Jerusalem is

the only place of worship, while we Samaritans claim it is here at Mount Gerizim, where our ancestors wor-

shiped?”

21 Jesus replied, “Believe me, dear woman, the time is coming when it will no longer matter whether you wor-

ship the Father on this mountain or in Jerusalem. 22 You Samaritans know very little about the one you wor-

ship, while we Jews know all about him, for salvation comes through the Jews. 23 But the time is coming—

indeed it’s here now—when true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth. The Father is look-

ing for those who will worship him that way. 24 For God is Spirit, so those who worship him must worship in

spirit and in truth.”

25 The woman said, “I know the Messiah is coming—the one who is called Christ. When he comes, he will ex-

plain everything to us.”

26 Then Jesus told her, “I am the Messiah!”

27 Just then his disciples came back. They were shocked to find him talking to a woman, but none of them had

the nerve to ask, “What do you want with her?” or “Why are you talking to her?” 28 The woman left her water

jar beside the well and ran back to the village, telling everyone, 29 “Come and see a man who told me every-

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22

thing I ever did! Could he possibly be the Messiah?” 30 So the people came streaming from the village to see

him.

31 Meanwhile, the disciples were urging Jesus, “Rabbi, eat something.”

32 But Jesus replied, “I have a kind of food you know nothing about.”

33 “Did someone bring him food while we were gone?” the disciples asked each other.

34 Then Jesus explained: “My nourishment comes from doing the will of God, who sent me, and from finishing

his work. 35 You know the saying, ‘Four months between planting and harvest.’ But I say, wake up and look

around. The fields are already ripe for harvest. 36 The harvesters are paid good wages, and the fruit they harvest

is people brought to eternal life. What joy awaits both the planter and the harvester alike! 37 You know the say-

ing, ‘One plants and another harvests.’ And it’s true. 38 I sent you to harvest where you didn’t plant; others had

already done the work, and now you will get to gather the harvest.”

Many Samaritans Believe

39 Many Samaritans from the village believed in Jesus because the woman had said, “He told me everything I

ever did!” 40 When they came out to see him, they begged him to stay in their village. So he stayed for two

days, 41 long enough for many more to hear his message and believe. 42 Then they said to the woman, “Now we

believe, not just because of what you told us, but because we have heard him ourselves. Now we know that he

is indeed the Savior of the world.”

Jesus Heals an Official’s Son

43 At the end of the two days, Jesus went on to Galilee. 44 He himself had said that a prophet is not honored in

his own hometown. 45 Yet the Galileans welcomed him, for they had been in Jerusalem at the Passover celebra-

tion and had seen everything he did there.

46 As he traveled through Galilee, he came to Cana, where he had turned the water into wine. There was a gov-

ernment official in nearby Capernaum whose son was very sick. 47 When he heard that Jesus had come from

Judea to Galilee, he went and begged Jesus to come to Capernaum to heal his son, who was about to die.

48 Jesus asked, “Will you never believe in me unless you see miraculous signs and wonders?”

49 The official pleaded, “Lord, please come now before my little boy dies.”

50 Then Jesus told him, “Go back home. Your son will live!” And the man believed what Jesus said and started

home.

51 While the man was on his way, some of his servants met him with the news that his son was alive and

well. 52 He asked them when the boy had begun to get better, and they replied, “Yesterday afternoon at one

o’clock his fever suddenly disappeared!” 53 Then the father realized that that was the very time Jesus had told

him, “Your son will live.” And he and his entire household believed in Jesus. 54 This was the second miracu-

lous sign Jesus did in Galilee after coming from Judea.

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By: Cassandra Escue

PREPARE

Objectives:

1. Experience and share the joy of celebrating one’s spiritual birthday.

2. Teach others the importance of celebrating their spiritual birthdays each year and how they can give a gift back to Jesus for the gift that He gave to us on the cross.

Take a moment to share the plan of salvation.

Materials Needed:

The following supplies are needed to make a spiritual birthday offering jar:

A) Quart or pint size Mason jar with a slit cut in the lid to allow change to go through like a bank

B) Ribbon or twine

C) Glue

Spir i tual Birthday

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D) Small self-sticking foam cut outs

E) Labels to put name & title on the jar

F) Permanent markers

2. Tables and chairs set up for the craft station

3. Thank You cards, envelopes, and pens

4. Chairs set up in an area for the reflection and prayer time

5. Balloons, birthday party decorations

6. Christian music to play during meet and greet

7. Refreshments such as cupcakes

Multiple small birthday candles for each lady

Two months before the event:

1. Plan a “Spiritual Birthday” party.

2. Secure a date and location for the event.

3. Organize a team to help with the planning, preparations, and clean up

Encourage all the women and leadership to be in prayer and fasting for the event.

A month before the event:

Invite women to attend the event. Publicize the event via the church bulletin, announcement, social media,

and personal interaction. Make it an outreach for friends and family that normally do not attend women’s ministry gatherings, so they can be introduced to Jesus. Make this an evangelistic event. It’s ok if someone doesn’t have a spiritual birthday, what better way to cele-brate this event than by having a salvation!

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Two weeks before the event:

Choose someone to lead in prayer.

Choose a couple of women to read the John 4:3-42 passage of scripture.

This can be broken down in 3 readers: Jesus, the woman at the well, and

the disciples.

Have altar call workers available who are comfortable giving the plan of salvation.

At the event:

1. Set up the craft area with all needed materials and the cards with pens.

2. Set up the refreshments.

3. Have an area set up for an altar call with prayer counselors ready.

Have a couple of ladies taking care of getting the cupcakes and candles ready.

After the event:

1. Have clean-up crew ready.

Give “thank you” notes to all ladies that participated.

IMMERSE

As women arrive, have your team greet them. Have name tags for every-one. When it is time to start, invite everyone to the reflection area for the service.

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LIVING WATER AND SPIRITUAL BIRTHDAY

Open with Prayer.

Birthdays—we all have one and we celebrate it every year. The older we get the more we try to forget about our birthdays, but someone always seems to remember and spoil the secret. It is so much fun to try to plan a birthday celebration: the cake, the invitations, the food, the people, and the perfect gift. Let me ask you a question—what about our spiritual birthdays? It is great to celebrate our physical birth into this world, but shouldn’t we celebrate the date that we were born into the family of God? It should be a time when we reflect on what the Lord is doing in our lives, how He blesses us daily, and how the Holy Spirit is with us constantly. Today we are going to learn about a very unique spiritual party that reached an entire town. This story is found in John 4:3-42, and I am reading from the Message Bi-ble. There is so much to learn from this encounter with Jesus. Today we are going to see 3 different types of people at this party.

First there were the Party Skippers.

Have you ever planned a birthday party, paying special attention to every detail? Picking the perfect theme, food, and invitations, only to have 2 of

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the 15 people you invited show up? It’s a great party and you know deep down that the party skippers have missed out. You continue as planned and the three of you have a wonderful party experience. In this passage of scripture, Jesus and the disciples had been traveling for some time; Jesus was tired and stopped at the well. The disciples, however, continued on to the town to get food for lunch. They missed the birthday party. They missed the chance to be present at the birthing of a new Christian. You see, they put their physical needs above THEIR spiritual needs, but even more so they put their physical needs above HER emotional, physical, and spiritual needs. Sometimes as Christians we have a tendency to do that. We get so involved with “doing” that we skip the fact that we are supposed to intro-duce others to the Living Water. We forget that not everyone has a spiritual birthday and that we should be introducing Jesus to everyone we meet.

Secondly there is the Party Thrower.

Back to your party, the two people that did show up are the center of atten-tion. You want to make sure they have a good time, that an impact will be made that will leave them with the memory of the “best party ever!” Our party thrower here is Jesus. He met the woman and struck up a conversa-tion by asking for a drink of water. The party escalated from there. Jesus lovingly let her know that He knew who she was, what she had done, and what she was doing, and yet He invited her to the party. Jesus has two types of invitations—a general invite, where he invites everyone, and a specific invite, which He gave to the woman at the well by saying, “Whoever drinks the water I give will never thirst” (v 14). He offered her Liv-ing Water. She became the center of attention, and an impact was made, leaving her with the memory of “best party ever!”

Finally, there is the Birthday Girl. This woman was an outcast, ostracized by her own people. She had been immoral by having five husbands, and she was now living with a sixth man. She had been rejected by so many: husbands, the people of her town, even the disciples. However, this man, this Jewish man who went in depth about her lifestyle, lovingly brought her sin to light and accepted her with the expectation of a lifestyle change. She left the well and ran to town to tell everyone about this man saying, “Come, see a man who told me every-

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thing I ever did. Could this be the Messiah?” (v 29). Not only was this wom-an changed on the inside, but there was obviously a significant change in her outward demeanor because all the people in town followed her to see Jesus and stayed for two days. Because of this woman, many became be-lievers.

Personal Invite Who are you today? Are you the skipper; quickly going through your spiritu-al journey, missing people accepting Christ because you are too busy work-ing, or maybe judging an outward appearance? Are you sharing the Living Water with others? Are you the thrower? Are you being like Jesus and actively seeking those that need the Living Water? Are you looking for the fields that are white with harvest? Maybe today you realize you are the woman at the well and you need Je-sus. Do you want to be the birthday girl? Would you like to accept the Liv-ing Water today and never thirst again? Now is your chance. (At this time, have an altar call and a time of prayer.) ENGAGE Take a look at the following verses and decide if the invite from Jesus is General or Specific: 1) Titus 2:11: For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. 2) John 12:32: “And I, when lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” 3) Luke 23:43: “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise.” 4) John 3:3: “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God un-less they are born again.” 5) John 3:16: Whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 6) John 8:11: “Go now and leave your life of sin.” Think of ways that you can be more “Harvest Field” minded. Here are some examples: work as a group to maybe set up a visitation schedule for new ladies to the church. Visit a shut-in at home or in a nursing home and take the opportunity to talk with them about their lost loved one. Try visiting peo-

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ple you know at the hospital and as you leave drop off at the nurses’ station a thank you card with the Romans Road in it. There is a retractable pen that each time you click on it a different verse from Romans Road comes up. You could order the pens and make sure each lady has several to give out. These are just suggestions. Try to come up with 5 things to work on.

SPIRITUAL BIRTHDAY JAR

Create a jar that serves as a piggy bank. Have each person decorate it and decide how much she would like to give daily for the year. Each lady can decide whom to give her Spiritual Birthday offering to: Missions, a specific missionary, Christ Birthday offering, etc.

THANK YOU CARDS Give each lady a thank you card and have her write a note to Jesus, thank-ing Him for the precious gift of Living Water.

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REFRESHMENTS Have a cupcake for each lady. There are small numbered candles that you can purchase cheaply, or you can have each lady bring her own candle to put on her cupcake. Be sure to have a few zeros in case you have a salva-tion. Light them all and sing “Happy Birthday.” Dismiss in prayer Sites visited: Pinterest, Today’s Christian Woman, Keep Believing Ministries

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By: Shel ly Short

A CHRISTMAS TEA CELEBRATING THE BIRTH OF CHRIST

Christ Birthday Festival

Theme: Great Joy for All

Scripture: Luke 2:10: But the angel said to

them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news

that will cause great joy for all the people.”

Prepare: This year’s Christ Birthday Observance celebrates with great joy, the birth of Jesus with a ladies tea entitled “Christ’s Birthday Festival.” The celebration

will include a time of fellowship with tea and homemade or purchased des-serts. Feel free to make this event casual or formal, fun, and informative. As you prepare for your ladies tea, make a list of festive desserts. I suggest gathering at your church, community center, or home. Create an inviting celebratory environment where all women will feel welcome and special. If you plan a large gathering, assign a hostess for each table and have each host decorate her table. Each person invited could bring a teacup and

2018 Christ ’ s Birthday Observance

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saucer. For a larger event, have each hostess bring teacups, saucers, and plate settings (if desired) to her table. Each hostess should invite a friend to assist with the table set up. I recommend an Internet or Pinterest search for Advent tea table décor to assist you in finding festive Advent design ideas. This event provides an excellent opportunity for your group to reach out to ladies who may benefit from your companionship. Consider inviting those who do not attend a church and welcome them into this festive gathering. This is an excellent time to act upon Christian Women Connection’s vision, mission, and core values.

Vision A place for every woman where every woman takes her place.

Mission

Encourage women to form relationships with God and each other; equip-ping through discipleship; empowering to serve and share the gospel.

Core Values

Peace building; reconciliation; Christocentric; leadership development; rela-tionship building; service focus; alignment with Church of God; Bible-based.

Immerse: As you welcome the ladies to the tea, play instrumental Christmas music in the background. To get started, have the hostess at each table engage in some of the following icebreakers to jump-start the celebration. Print these ahead of time on colorful paper and place at each table setting along with your program for the event.

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Christmas Icebreaker Questions Do you have a favorite Christmas memory? Tell us about a particular Christmas family tradition. Do you have a favorite Christmas song or carol?

What is one present you gave to another person that had special meaning

to both you and the person receiving the gift?

Thinking of the birth of Jesus and what a special gift this was to all of us,

tell us about your own spiritual birthday. Do you remember the date, the

place? Did you pray with someone? Tell your testimony around the table(s).

Invite each table to partake in different kinds of teas and desserts. Large

gatherings should consider numbering the tables and inviting a few tables

at a time to partake of the festive desserts and teas. As the women settle in

with their plates of scrumptious treats and teas, consider having the coordi-

nator share the following story of Christ’s Birthday Observance beginnings.

In 1949 the Church of God’s Women

Society, now known as Christian

Women Connection, began to pray,

think, and plan ways to emphasize

the real meaning of Christmas, and

so started Christ’s Birthday Ob-

servance. There was much commer-

cialism surrounding Christmas in

1949, and there is even more today.

Christ Birthday Observance provides

resources, prayer calendars, and

devotions for Advent, the liturgical

season leading up to Christmas.

Consider having Christ’s Birthday

Observance material readily availa-

ble for the ladies who participate.

These can be purchased ahead of time online at

www.christianwomenconnection.org/store.

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The following may be appropriate for a Bible study for a small gathering or

in a message by your speaker. Your speaker should feel free to create the

message around his or her own thoughts but should stay focused on Ad-

vent and the great joy of Christ’s birth, Luke 2:10, or related verses.

Advent is a time for adoring Jesus, waiting, watching, and having hopeful

expectations. We remember the first coming of Jesus, we celebrate his

presence, and we pray for his glorious return. One of the ways Christian

Women Connection helps you to keep Jesus at the center of the Christmas

season is by offering a meditation journal and prayer guide. Dive into his

living word each day and come away with something to feed your joy. We

live in tumultuous times filled with uncertainties. As we celebrate Christ’s

birthday, remember that He is our source of Living Water and can quench

all our concerns.

As I ponder Advent, I think of Anna, a prophetess from the Bible in Luke

2:36-38. Her name means favor or grace and originates from the Hebrew

chanan, meaning to bend or stoop in kindness, to find favor and show fa-

vor. When Anna encounters the infant Jesus in the temple, we see that her

life is indeed overflowing with favor and grace at the fulfillment of much

prayer, prophecy, and the first advent of Christ’s birth. I am sure after Anna

saw Jesus she felt great joy. All the waiting, watching, and having hopeful

expectations for so many years had finally been fulfilled for her aged eyes

to see.

Anna had only been married for seven years when she became a widow,

and she remained as such for the rest of her life. From what little we know

about Anna, it is believed by scholars that she was eighty-four years old

when she met Jesus. However, it is also possible to translate the text to

mean Anna had lived eighty-four years after her husband died. Women in

Anna’s era married at the age of twelve to thirteen. If Anna married at the

age of thirteen, she would have been at least 104 years old. We can see

that Anna spent the vast majority of her life without a husband and spent

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her time ministering before the Lord in the temple.

Anna dedicated herself wholly to the Lord after becoming a widow. She

spent her days at the temple in Jerusalem worshipping, fasting, and pray-

ing. It is possible that she would have been given living quarters at the tem-

ple because of her designation as a prophetess, or perhaps she lived near-

by. What stands out is that she faithfully devoted most of her life, and her

commitment is rewarded with an encounter.

Mary and Joseph journeyed to the temple with the baby Jesus to comply

with the Old Testament law. They needed to make the purification offering

and to present Jesus as their firstborn before God. While there, a man

named Simeon holds the Lord Jesus in his arms, praises God, and pro-

nounces a prophecy regarding Jesus and Mary. At this instant, Anna enters

the temple and immediately recognizes Jesus as the long-awaited Savior

and begins thanking God.

Anna, the prophetess, is one of the first few to bring honor to baby Jesus

born in a stable. Anna shares the good news with everyone. I imagine Anna

taking the baby Jesus in her arms, cradling him, and telling all the people of

God’s faithfulness. What great joy for all the people who are receiving the

good news of Jesus Christ, the long-awaited Savior.

Anna’s anointed ministry during her later years of life holds a promise for

older and younger women. There is always ministry in store for the sensi-

tive, obedient, and pure; a ministry that can influence and shape the up-

coming generations. Share the good news of Christ’s birth and spread the

joy to all the people.

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Reflection:

Your Bible study facilitator or speaker can now lead a time of discussion or

reflection.

Do you have personal examples of God’s favor in your own lives?

Have you waited a long time with expectant hope for a prayer to be an-

swered? If so, does Anna’s testimony encourage your faith?

How could we incorporate the story of Christ’s birth and the advent season

during our family gatherings for the month of December?

Consider reading Luke 2:1-20 from your Bible or a children’s Bible to your

family and friends during your holiday gatherings.

The best gift of all is the birth, life, and death of Jesus on the cross for the

atonement of our sins. Think of ways you can invite new people into your

church and Christian Women Connection groups to share the love of

Christ.

Engage:

Mission Project: Consider having a spokesperson from a local mission

that your church or group may already support or one that you have a de-

sire to assist. The spokesperson from the mission based ministry can pre-

sent a brief presentation (ten minutes) at the end or beginning of your time

together.

Ask the ladies to bring items to the tea that will aid the selected mission

project.

Or select a separate date and time to serve at a mission-based ministry of

your choice by volunteering your time. Have a signup sheet available at

your event for ladies to participate and serve together in your community.

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Smaller Gatherings: Participate in Secret Angels, which is much like Se-

cret Sisters or Secret Santa for a gift exchange. As you invite ladies to join

you for Christ’s Birthday Festival, ask them to bring a small gift costing no

more than $5 (you can set the amount) or bring something they have craft-

ed or an item they already have to give away at the gathering.

Larger Gatherings: A silent auction with gift baskets may add fun and in-

terest to the celebration. Ask volunteers several weeks before your event to

assemble gift baskets for the festival. Area businesses may desire to con-

tribute items or gift certificates to this project. The proceeds can benefit the

mission project.

You may also, want to include an offering designated for Christ Birthday

Observance.

Conclusion:

End with prayer and a Christmas hymn or worship song. Invite a worship

leader or search the Internet for contemporary or traditional classic Advent

and Christmas songs, carols, and hymns.

Please feel free to incorporate any creative ideas you may have into this

celebration.

Resources:

Speaker/Bible Study Content: https://www.gotquestions.org/Anna-the-

prophetess.html, Kingdom Dynamics Spirit Filled Bible.

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Cassandra Escue Cassie was raised in a Christian home and at the age of 6 accepted Jesus as her Savior on April 2, 1972. She has followed Jesus most of her life. She is the

CARE Ministry director at her home church Teays Valley Church of God in Scott Depot WV under the leadership of Dr. Melissa Pratt. She is the WV State CWC President/Coordinator. She actively travels and speaks at CWC events

and churches. Cassie has been married to her husband Doug for 29 years and loves serving the Lord with him. He is known around the WV CWC’s as her

chauffeur and guitarist. She loves traveling with him. They have three chil-dren; DJ 28 married to Jessica, Zachary 25 and Cara 23 married to Yuri. They have three grandchildren Mallory 6, Darren 1 and James 2 months. They are

truly gifts from God. Cassie’s passion for others is seen through her ministries,

and her love of Jesus is shown in her daily walk.

Shelly Short Shelly is the Ministry Coordinator of Programming at Christian Women Connec-

tion. Shelly is an ordained minister through the Church of God. She attended

Ball State University Muncie, IN and has a Bachelor of Ministry Degree from

Christian Leadership University Cheektowaga, NY. Currently, Shelly is pursu-

ing a Master of Christian Leadership. Shelly’s passion is preaching, teaching,

and writing. She is a Leadership Focus Coach for Church of God and enjoys

building ministry leaders. In 2004 she founded Hidden Treasures Ministries

and planted a church she co-pastored with her husband Clint for six years.

Shelly and Clint are former chaplains for the Madison County Fire Rescue

House. She and her husband, Clint, have been married for thirty-seven years,

and they are proud parents of one grown son and two dogs.

Melanie Thigpen

Melanie is the Ministry Coordinator of Communications at Christian Women

Connection. An ordained minister in the Church of God, she serves on the Board of Children of Promise and serves as 2nd Vice Chair with the Department of Ministry Services for Indiana Ministries. She is creative, loves learning and

teaching the Word of God. She is a writer, designer, and she has considerable expertise in women’s ministry through her work with CWC, her local congrega-

tions, and national efforts. She and Michael have four beautiful daughters and one handsome grandson.

Writers

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NOTES

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1. Did the curriculum meet your expectation for providing opportunities to build relationships, spiritual

formation, and service, both personally and in community? Why or why not?

2. What did you enjoy the most about your experience? What did you least like about your experi-

ence?

3. What kinds of ministry resources would you like to see offered by Christian Women Connection in

the future?

4. What could have made this study more rewarding for you or your group?

5. Do you plan to use re:Connect ministry resources again in the future?

6. Would you recommend this study to others? Why or Why not?

EVALUATION: Living Water Please fill out and return to:

Christian Women Connection

Attn: re:Connect

P.O. Box 2328

Anderson, Indiana

RE:CONNECT WITH LIVING WATER

43

P.O. Box 2328

Anderson, IN 46018-2328

Email: frontdesk@wchog.org

www.christianwomenconnection.org

1-866-778-0804 (toll free)

765-648-2102 (local)

765-608-3094 (fax)